This post is brought to you by Hallmark. All opinions are our own.
Want to turn up the Valentine’s Day romance this year? Here’s a simple tip: unplug those devices and make real connections. Turn it all off and make it your mission to get back to connecting on a personal level in your personal life.
Technology is great, I can’t deny that. We can send messages to loved ones across the world in an instant, find long-lost best friends on social media and work “side-by-side” with someone we’ve never met in person. When it comes to our personal relationships and true Valentine’s Day romance, though, nothing says “ I love you” better than times spent truly connecting with your love. Check out our tips to turn up the Valentine’s Day romance while turning off the devices.
Tips for Unplugged Valentine’s Day Romance
- Declare your intentions. If you have kids staying home with a sitter, turning off your phone completely isn’t exactly practical. Besides, nothing kills romance faster than spending the night worrying about your kids. Instead, let family and friends know that it’s “do not disturb” night. Tell them if they don’t respect that, you’ll hide alarms all over their house to go off at random hours for the next week or something equally annoying. That should get them on board! Some smartphones have options to screen calls. Set that up so that only calls from your sitter can get through.
- Plan the evening the old fashioned way. How did we ever plan our date nights before the internet and review sites? Seriously, I’m asking, I don’t even remember! I think we just kind of drove around until we found something to do. Half the time, it was the journey that created the best memories. Instead of looking to the computer for things to do in your area, take a drive together and stop at the first place that looks enticing. You may discover a new favorite location!
- Go to dinner, skip the movie. The “dinner and a movie” date is a perfect first date because it doesn’t allow much time for conversation. When you want to reconnect, skip the movie and do something else afterward. Preferably something that allows for face-to-face contact and speaking.
- Travel back in time. Some of us remember what it was like to date before computers became household items. Cellphones? I think only spooky CIA agents in movies had those, and they were the size of a briefcase. Even if you aren’t old enough to remember those days, you can learn about them in classic 1980s brat pack movies. Just pick up anything with Molly Ringwald on the cover. Pick a favorite date from the “dark ages,” then recreate it!
- Write it, don’t type it. I type everything, from articles for work to my shopping list. I’ve been typing so long that I barely remember how to print! I do not type my messages in my cards, though. That’s right, I still use actual cards. As much as I like the convenience of e-cards for acquaintances and far-off friends, nothing beats an actual card from Hallmark for my close, personal relationships. I love browsing the store, picking out just the right card and personalizing it with my own message before giving it.
These are just a few Valentine’s Day romance ideas for unplugging and reconnecting in our over-connected, digital world. The idea is to take a night away from our smartphones, smart televisions, laptops, desktops, tablets and everything else that “connects” us to the world so we can connect to those standing right in front of us. You may enjoy it so much that you’ll decide to make it a monthly thing!
Ready to #PutYourHeartToPaper? Head to your local Hallmark store and discover all the beautiful, touching or even humorous ways there are to say “I Love You!”
Do you have any other Valentine’s Day romance ideas for reconnecting without technology? Tell us in the comments!
Hallmark is such a classic store and I love all of their products. We always get their ornaments.
I love getting a handwritten card from my husband. It really means so much!
Sensible reminders of love and romance and our time together – we’ll take a long walk in the woods, with the dogs and enjoy being together. Feeling it now…
I love the idea of having an unplugged Valentine’s Day. I think it would be a great thing to do each month for date night.
My husband and I don’t really care so much about Valentine’s Day. I’ve always thought it gets bit out of control with retailers and such. But, we do use it as an excuse to rest and relax. Kiddo goes to grammies. The dogs go to grandmas. We either go somewhere or stay home – free of all distractions and responsibilities.
Since having kids, we don’t really do the couple thing anymore. We like to have a fun evening in with the girls, though sometimes I do miss the intimacy of sharing the day with just my husband.
This sounds like such a romantic Valentine’s Day, I hope you have a really good one!
Looks like you’re going to have a very nice romantic Valentine’s day. Your ideas are superb.
Love the idea of taking this Valentine’s Day back to the old ways. I miss that. I’m trying to plan something for us.
A movie is great for a family activity. I agree though, for a date-date it’s not really preferable because you’re not able to talk/connect.
My husband and I usually do something nice for each other. I usually fix his favorite meal and he cleans something that I hate to clean (like the whole house haha) sometimes we go out to dinner but not always.
I think writing love letters by hand is one of the most romantic and memorable things you can do. It is also a great way to let a parent or child know how you really feel.
These are great ideas. I love to hand write letters. They make great keepsakes.
Great ideas. It’s so important to disconnect from the electronics and connect with each other!
I agree, we love watching movies but it does not give an opportunity to speak to each other unless you grab coffee afterwards and talk about the movie!
I totally agree. We disconnect once a week for our date nights and will be for Valentine’s too!
Yes, disconnecting is important. It is amazing how obsessed we really are about technology.
I love dates when we can just disconnect from our tech and reconnect with each other. I love the idea of driving until you see something or somewhere interesting.
Love these unplugged ideas. I think I will hand write a note today.
I wish I had a valentine. Maybe next year I can use these tips.
It sounds really refreshing to unplug for a nice night out. Dinner and a movie can be fun but there’s definitely no conversation at the theatre.
I need to decide what we are going to do for Valentines Day this year. I like all your tips. I am just hoping the weather warms up a bit here.
I can do a non technology romance, I would have to leave my phone at home and let my husband take his phone for emergencies. I am the technology freak so I might get the shakes if I do it but it would be worth it.
I’m all for a nice card that’s hand written on the inside without the words chosen for him and some flowers. We try not to get technological when it comes to Valentines Day.
I couldn’t agree with you more. There’s a lot to be said about being old fashioned. We all need to disconnect sometimes.
My husband and I show each other we love each other all year long, which is why we don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day.